The interpretation of quantum mechanics and other contemporary theories in science are experiencing strain because, on the one hand, they appear to involve some kind of holism, while on the other hand holism has generally been regarded as hopelessly obscure. Professor Teller will resolve this interpretive impasse by developing and applying a conception which he calls "relational holism." This new concept differs significantly from much traditional work on holism and can be made acceptably clear by the standards of contemporary analytic philosophy. Professor Teller will apply the resulting notions of moderate and radical relational holism to clarifying the ways in which the spirit of classical scientific thought seemed to be non-holistic, the ways in which there are nonetheless important holistic strands in classical science, and the ways in which quantum mechanics involves a radical break with traditional non-holistic prejudices. The results will clarify the ways in which quantum mechanics departs from traditional conceptions. Further applications will lay the groundwork for coming to terms with the traditional puzzles of David Hume about causation (how can one prove that an effect and a cause are necessarily connected?) and for clarification of the recent resurgence of interest in holistic elements in the social sciences.
